San Francisco and its cops

A leisurely perusal of the collection of the San Francisco's Tenderloin Museum (398 Eddy Street at Leavenworth) proved there is nothing new about the city's ambivalent relationship with its police force. Before the area devolved into a residential neighborhood of last resort for new immigrant Asian-origin families and street dwellers, the Tenderloin was where artists, jazz musicians, and gay oddballs found a home. 

And the cops exploited and enjoyed this lawless realm. In the 19th century, the cops profited along with the dance halls.

In the early 20th century, campaigns against gambling houses created opportunities for extortion.

 

San Francisco was decidedly out of sync with Prohibition, no place more than the Tenderloin. Among these gents sharing the bottles, the county sheriff.

 

During World War II, the city was the jumping off point and recreational refuge for Pacific sailors. The Tenderloin welcomed both gays and a booming heterosexual porn industry. Our senior US Senator (and former mayor) began her political career crusading to "clean up" the Tenderloin. Local cartoonists, including R Crumb, were not amused. There are those cops on the take again ...

Click on any of these images to enlarge. And if you get a chance, visit this little local gem yourself.